Fire-extinguisher.



W. H. TIBBALS.

FIRE Exmeulsusn.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26,1915. l I

Patented Aug. 6,1918.,

UNITED sTaTns PATENT ernten. y-

WALTER H. TIBBALS, OF ONONDAGA, NEW YORK, ASSIGrNOR. TO ENDFIRE EXTIN- GUISHER COMPANY, INC., OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION QF NEW YORK.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHER.

Patented Aug. e, wie.

Application inea November 26,1915. seriai No. 63,505.

'Z 10 all whom t may concern F ire-Extinguishers, of which the following,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact descrip-` from the cylinder.

tion. Y This invention relates to certain improvements in portable fire extinguishers involv-V ing the use of a cylindrical container and a mechanically operatedpiston movable therein for forcibly expelling the fire 'extinguisliing Huid. Y f,

The primary object is to provide simple, practical and eflicient means whereby a conti n'uous stream of the fluid may be accurately directed upon the fire where most eEective.

Another object is to construct the piston vent opening -'4.- controlled loya suitable operating mechanism in such manner that a stream` of substantiallyv the same size and force may be' maintained throughout the period of operation until practically all of the fluid within the container is expelled, irrespective of the speed of operation of the piston-actuating means.

Another object is toprovide means for automatically locking'the piston in its adjusted position and to utilize such piston for' holding'the liquid in advance thereof in the outlet end of the cylinder when the outlet is closed and to'preventith'e back flow of the liquid into the opposite end of suchcylinder,l whereby the piston is always in position for y the instantaneous discharge ofthe liquid.

A sti ll further object is to enable the valve for the outlet to be opened and closed auto? matically by the operation of a part of the piston-operating means.

Another object is to yprovide automatic means for preventing the operation of the piston-operating mechanism in a reverse di# rec-tion from that required to expel the liq id, and at the same time to enable one of the members of the automatic lock to i be released'at will when it is ydesired to return the piston to its starting position, as for example when the cylinder is filled to its parts of the apparatus willV be brought out` in the following description."

In the drawings-f Y Figure l is a central vertical sectional view of a portable re extinguisher embodyi ing the various features of -my inventiony showing the vpiston as locked lin an inter-` mediate position, and the valve for the outlet closed, the dotted lines indicating the position the hand-crank assumes when about to operate the piston for expelling the fluid r in the plane of line 3-3, Fig. l.

As illustrated, this apparatus comprises a cylinder 1- of such size ,as to be conveniently carried in the handof the operator and provided with oppositeend heads -2- and #-34 forming air and liquidtight joints with the main body, the head -2-- being provided with a relatively small valve -5- hereinafter described.

The head -3- is located at the discharge end of the cylinder and is provided with an inlet -6- for filling and a discharge nozzle l,

-7- having a relatively small outlet 8- through which the lire extinguishing fluid is adapted to be discharged, said nozzle being preferably detachable and `screw threaded 'threaded central opening'j-llfor receiving an operating screw l2-,v whereby the piston may be moved lengthwise ofthe cylin- I der in either direction by rotating the screwV .first in one direction and then in4 the oppositel direction. I y

The hub of the main body -10- ofthe ypiston is provided with reduced externally threaded'extensions -13- and-lllr- 4engaged, respectively, by aninternally threaded collar l5- and a cap '-16-, the upper end of the kcollar -l5-beiiig threaded exf ternally for receiving ascrew cap -17'-.

The collar -15- extendsiupwardly some', i distaneeabove the corresponding end ofthe hub of the main body or piston head 10 to forni a chamber 18 for receiving and retaining a lubricant or absorbent therefor which" is held in lplace by a packing ring 19 interposedbetween theupper end of4 tionally lubricating the threaded connectionsv between the screw and piston.

The cap 16 and its follower 16 closely fit'u'po'n the periphery of the' screw 1'.2' and together with the threaded extension M engaged thereby constitute a gland which not only holds the lubricant packing 21- from escape, but also prevents' leakage of the fire extinguishing fluid through the piston along' the'screw.

For asimilar purpose, the screw cap 17 and packing ring 19 fit closely against the periphery of the screw, the packing. 19- beingv actually threadedv internallyytoengage the threads of said screw and thereby additionally prevent the escape of the lubricant from the pocket 1l8 and to also additionally prevent the passage of the fire extinguishing fluid through the piston along the screw.

The diameter of the piston head 10 is only slightly lesstha-n that of the interior ofthe cylinder, the upper face thereof outside of the extension 13 being substantially flat, except for a small annular rib 20 for receiving and supporting acup-shaped packing 23 of leather or equivalent flexible material and a cup-shaped expander 2&1-- of rnetal resting upon the upper face of the leather packing 23 and having its marginal flange spring-tensioned against the corresponding marginal flange of the packing 23 to hold the latter in close contact with the inner walls of the cylinder, thereby producing a substantially liquid-tight joint. the open sides of both of the packing members 28 and 24- facing the outlet end of the extinguisher so that as the liquid is compressed by the upward movement of the piston, it tends to further expand the periph-- eral walls of the packing 23- agfainst the adjacent sides ofthecylinder.

These packingvrings 2-3 and M are firmly secured to the" piston head by screw-- ing the collar 1^5 tightly upon', the adjacent threaded extension 13 lar 15 is tightened, the annular ril;` 20 on the upper flat face of the piston head 10 is embedded in the adjacent porl tion of the packing ring 23 toadditi'oir As the colthe` superpo'sed portion of the piston head,

are beveled transversely to form an annular chamber in which is placed a lubricant packing 27 to additionally prevent the discharge/:of the fire'-extinguishingl fluidT aroundl the pistonffrm the upperend to the lower end thereof.V

rIhese lubricant packings between the piston andE cylindera'ndv` a-lS betweenthe piston and screw areV particularly important in extinguishersof this type, in that it is-neces'- sary not onljT to lubricate the joints, but alsof' toexclude the fire extinguishing' huid from the portion'at the lowerend of the piston.-

The screw 12 extends lengthwiseofthe cylinder and c'o-axialf th'erewitlrbetween' the end" heads 2 and' 3 and itsy opposite ends are stepped in suitable bearings 28 and 29 therein' for rotary movement', the upper end of the screw being connected by beveled gears 30 toone endof a'y di ametrically extendingE cross shaft 31 which is journa'led'in suitable' bearings 3:2 forining a part of the head 3 rPhe inner end ofv thecross shaft 31- is also steppedv in a suitable bearing 353- in one side of thehead 3 while its opposite endextends outwardly tothe exterior of the h ead through a` gland 3fthaving a screw cap 35 the outer endf face of which is.' substantially flat for engagement byr a wearJ plate or disk 36 whichl is adapted`v to turn the shaft 31 A? nut or collar 87 is keyed tothe shaft 3lby a pin 353- between the wearplate 36 and a lock nut S9- to turn with said shaft, the lock nut beingsecured to the outer threadedl end of the cross shaft, as shown in Fig. 1.

A handy lever or crank arm '0 is provided with' a hollow hub 1 journal'ed upon the periphery of Vthe externally threaded nut or collar Z37 to turn' about the axis` of the cross shaft 31 and is provided witlr an internal thread -12 engaging the external threads of the nut or collar 37 but of relatively less number of turns than those on the nut or collar so as to" the vinternal thread engages the wear-plate or nut, the cross shaft .-31- and screwl -12- will be operated by the further turning movement of the lever for moving the piston axially.

The purpose of this axial movement ofthe lever .-40- relatively to the shaft -3lis to automatically open and close a valve 4S- controlling the outlet .-8-5 and also to free the leverfrom engagement with a stop pawl..-i4iwhich, in the initial movement of theflever,4 is adapted. to engage ratchet teeth e on the inner end ofthe hub ofthe lever #4G- to prevent rotation ofy said lever in one direction, and permit its rotation in the opposite direct-ion, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

' The inner end ofthe hub of the lever L10- is enlarged and provided with an internal annular groove -46-- for receiving an annular flange or shoulder --l7A on the outer end of the valve '-43--, whereby when` the leveris inits normal innermost position, asishown Vby full lines Vin Fig. 1, the valve will be closed across the outlet port, .as .8-, of the valve chamber, but when-thcA lever Y-is forced 4outwardly to the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1, by the rotation of :the .lever 4w- Vrelatively tothe shaft, the valve -43- will be automatically opened to 'establish lcommunicationy between' the interior of the cylinder and outlet -8-.,"th'e innerwend ofthe .valve chamber' communieating with. the interior of-A the Y cylinder througha port -3f-.. 1

The valve .is located in a valve chamber in the uppe`rfheadi$ of the cylinder parallel with .the crossshaft-Bl and-is movableazrially thereof, such movement corresponding to the movement of the lever, as determined-by th'e .limiting-stops P64 and -%9'- co-acting with the inter'- nal thread or hub o f the lever.

The pawl is also slidable in a transverse opening inthe head --3- just'abovethe valve -43-' and is normallyvforced out-4` wardly Yinto engagement with the ratchet-v teeth 1-455- of the lever nilo*` lby a coil spring -48-. l'

Securedito .the pawl is a pin orhandle A9-extending radially through an 'elongatedslot/ 50+V inthe adjacent side of the head ofthe cylinder, the ends ofjth'e slot constituting limiting stops cop'e'natingf with thepin- 'to limit-the 4inward and outward. movement ofthe pawl,"`anzd permit said engagement ofthe ratchet teeth ofsaidfleverf when it, is desired to.v operate-said lever in arev'erse..direction-therewith required to move Q the-piston 'upwardly forexpe'lling the fire y Y l" 'l communicates with vthe atmospherethrough the -ventopening extinguishing fluid, ,z .M

- The lever 4C- 's providedfwitha relatively ymovablesectien 1er .1 extension #951*- ward vand from the outer face of the adjacent portion of the cylinder from a normal position substantiallyparallel with the cylinder, as shown by full lines, to a position substantially at right angles thereto, as shown by dotted lines, and upon this eXtension is mounted a rotary handle -53- by which the lever may be turned without excessive friction upon the hand.

Secured to the periphery of the cylinder at the side adjacent the lever is a lug --51l -V constituting. a limiting stop, the opposite faces of which are adapted to be engaged by inwardly projecting lugs or ears -55- on the adjacent portion of the movable section 6lofthe lever substantially radial to the pivot -52- and of .suiiicient radial length so that when engaged with the base of the lug -51l-, the lever 40- will be placed under slight spring tension to hold the movable extension #5lin its normal locked position.

Suitable means is also provided for locking the extension -15- in its operative positionfor turning the lever, said means consisting, in this instance, of a bolt 56-V slidable in a lengthwise opening in the eX- tension 51 and having its inner end rel duced and adapted to engage in a socket or recess -57- in the ad]accnt end of the lever -llO-4 radial to the pivot .452u and its Y outerend provided with a hand-piece .--'-58-'4 by which it may be withdrawn from its locking position against the action of a: retractingspring ---59.V

The locking lugs or ears 5S--k are disposed at substantially right angles to the axis of the movable extension d3l-- ofthe c leverv --i0-, but lthe portion of the extension at the side of the pivot --52--l opposite thehandle 5B- is of 'less radial length than the radial distance between the pivotI and outer edge of the lug 5dso that when the extension -51- is shifted .fromv its normal position lto the position shown by dotted lines, the lugs-'55 will be entirely disengaged from the lug \-54-, thus permitting the lever to be rotated about the axis ofV the cross shaft --31--1A The cylinder -lis adapted tofeontain a predetermined -quantity Aof the fire extinguishing fluid which is Aintroduced thereinthrough the-inlet -67- w'hile lthe piston isl in its eXtreme-downward position, after which the inlet isclosed` by a plug It, wjtherefore, follow-s an'iount of fiuidl will be held between-the piston 'and upper head -S--of-the'cylinder and that the portion of the `cylinder belowf the pistonV forms "air `space which that lthe Meiitire la retta-clingsspring lsf-and is lprovided the fire extinguisher is at rest, the spring 52- serving to allow the spring -5- tov move a limitedv distance downwardly after the valve is closed by the downward movement of the piston, thereby assuring pressure upon the valve to hold it closed.

A spring buffer -GO- is seatedY on the lower head -2- of the cylinder aroundthe adjacent end of the screw 12.- to afford a yielding` abutment for the lower end of the piston or cap -l6 when the piston is locked in its normal downposition, thereby avoiding any liability of injury to the gland of which the cap 16- forms a part, and at the same time allowing` the lever -40- to be brought to its locking position as the piston approaches the limit of its downward movement, said spring also exerting an upward pressure upon the piston to cause a tight fit between the threads of the piston and screw in case there should be any lost fmotion between said threads, thereby further reducing the liability of leakage along such threads.

For example in returning the piston to its extreme downward position by the rota tion ofv the lever -llO- to the left, the operator may readily determine by the sense of feeling when the lower end of the piston strikes the spring and if the lever does not then happen to be in registration with the locking` lugs -5l-, the operation of holding the piston may be continued against the action of the spring -60- until the locking members 55- are registered with the lug -54*, whereupon the extension 51- may be rocked downwardly to its normal locking position.

In operation, assuming that the piston is in its extreme down position and the lever is locked against rotation and that the cylinder is filled with the fire extinguishing liquid, under which conditions the valve -43- will be closed and the pawl 44- in operative engagement with the ratchet teeth -/l5-, the valve -5- being also closed.

Now, in case of fire, the operator takes the cylinder in one hand and with the other hand rocks the extension 51- from its normal position upwardly to the position shown by dotted lines, thereby unlocking the lever from engagement with the cylinder, whereupon the lever may be rotated clockwise,-the initial turning movement being independently ofthe cross shaft 31W andabout the nut or collar 37- until the threaded portion -flQ- of the nut frictionally engages the outer end abutment -39-.

This initial turning movementof the lever -40- relativelyA to the shaft *3lcauses said lever to be moved' outwardly to the position shown by dotted lines, until limited by the engagement; of the nut -37- with the lock nut -39-, the axial movement of the lever also causing the simultaneous endwise movement of the valve -43- inthe same direction to open communication between the interior of the cylinder and discharge opening -8-.

rlfhe engagement of the nut -37- with the limiting stop -39- serves to lock the lever to the shaft -31 so that the continued rotation of the lever' in the same direction clockwise causes the rotation of the screw through the medium of the gears -30- to move the piston -9- fromits starting positiony toward the endl head -3-, thereby expelling the fire extinguishing fluidy in a continuous stream through the discharge nozzle -7- as long as the rotationL of the lever in the same direction continues. A

This initial outward axial movement of the lever -4c0 also withdraws the ratchet teeth -45- out of engagement with the adjacentend of the pawl *442- which is prevented from further outward movement by the engagementof the pin -4.- with the outer end of the slot 50,v thus preventing any interference whatever with the free rotation of the lever clockwise in the operation of discharge of the liquid from the container.

On the other hand, if it is desired to hold the piston in any intermediate position, or to return it to its starting position, the direction of rotation of the lever is reversedv or turned from right to left, by which operation the initial turning movement causes it to be restored axially to its innermost position through the mediurnof the nut -37- and threads 42- until the Wear-plate -36-, which is soldered or otherwise secured to the nut -37-, engages the adj aeent face ofthe screw cap e-35-, whereupon the lever will be again locked to the shaft -3l-, it being understood that during' this reverse movement of the lever,` the pawl 4A- is forced inwardly vout of engagement with the ratchet teeth`45 and heldy in such position against the action ofthe retracting spring 48- by means of the handle -t9-. Y

At this time the lever -40- may be locked in-its startingV position@ by simply Lattes?? withdrawing the locking bolt ,58- and i rocking the extension 5I- downwardly until the lugs -55- are interlocked with the lug -54r-, thus holding the piston in its adjusted position, or, the extension -51- may be left in its operative position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and the reverse movement of the lever continued until the piston is restored toits lowermost starting position, the valve -43* remaining closed during such return movement of the piston, or as long as the lever -40- rcmains in its innermost position.

lVhen the piston is brought to its normal starting position, the extension -51 will be 4rocked downwardly to its locking position for holding said piston and its operat- -ing mechanism, together with the valve -43, in their normal positions, the pawl ,welll-4 bein released for engagement .with the teeth of the ratchet wheel ready for a repetition of the operation for discharging the vfire extinguishing Huid after the container is refilled. f

`In all of the devices of this character, so far as I am aware, in which a piston is operated by means of la single screw, suitable means has been provided for preventing rotation of the piston, but in actual practice y'I have discovered that there is a distinct advantage in leaving the piston free to rotate, providing the Vfrictiony between the .screw and piston isequal to orgreater than that between? the piston and cylinder, but under. normal conditions with thepiston of relatively large diameter, as compared with that of the screw, and the contacting surl faces between the piston and cylinder also of `relatively large area 'and close tting, it

`is-evident that the friction produced between thel piston and cylinder, together with :the relatively 4long radius` or leverage lof the lpiston,-as4 compared with the friction surface between the screw and `piston Vand the relatively small radius of the screw, tends to hold thepiston against rotation while being moved endwise in either direction by the rotation ofthe screw. Y

This resistance to the rotation ofthe-piston is greatly increasedY bythe inertia of the liquid in contactiwiththe -pistondiiring the discharge. l Y

IV also "find that if there'is any tendency to force the liquid t0 the nozzle at a""rat`e In this manner, the pressure of the liquid 'at the nozzle and consequent discharge is substantially uniform at alltimes and assures the discharge of a given quantity of the fluid in a definite vtime period.

What I claim is:

l. In a fire extinguisher of the character described, the combination of a container for the fire extinguishing fluid having an outletl in one end, a piston movable axially in said container' andfrec to rotate about its axis and provided with a central threaded aperture, a screw engaged in said aperture, means for rotating the screw, and additional means separate from the screw, but

actuated by a part ofthe screw-rotating Imean's'for opening and vclosing the outlet.

'- 2.' In a tire extinguisher of the character described, Aa container for the fire extinguishing Huid having an outlet, a piston 'movable in thecontainer toward and from the outlet, a screw for operating the piston, means for rotating the `iscrew,fa valve mov- Iableindependently of the screw for opening for operating the valve in advance of the beginning ofrotationof the screw in either direction.

3. In a fire extinguisher of the character described, the combination of a container for a fire extinguishingfluid having an outlet,l a `v'piston movable in the container, a

screw for 'operating the piston, means for rotating the screw, avalve for the outlet separate from the screw, and connections betweenisaid screw operating means and valve for opening'and'closing'said valve iii advance ofthe movement of the piston in either direction. i f" f 4L. In a iireextinguisherwof the character described, l the combination of a container having an'outlet, a piston movable in the container, meansA including a rotary hand lever for operating thepiston, said lever having a limited Vmovement independently Aof the piston movement, a valve for the outlet,1 and` connections between the leverl and valve for opening said'valve during such independentmovement of the lever.

5. In a fire extinguisher of the character described, the combination, of a container hav- Qing an outlet,'a hollow internally threaded piston movable in the container, a screw engaging the threads of the piston, means including a rotary member for operating the screw, said member having a limited rotary movement in reverse directions independently of the screw, a valve for the outlet, and means actuated by said memberduring such independent movement for opening and closing the valve.

6. In a fire extinguisher of the character described, the combination of a container having an outlet, a piston movable in the container, means including a rotary hand screw, said member having a limited rotarymovement independently of the screw, means for moviiio' said member axially during such independent rotary movement, ,a valve for the outlet separate from the Screw, and connections between said member and valve for opening the latter Ias the member is moved axially.

8. In a tire extinguisher of .the character described, the combination .off a ycontainer having an outlet, a valve for theoutrlet, a piston movable in the container, means including a rotary hand lever for operating the piston, said lever havingan iindependent axial movement, and. connections between said hand lever and valve for opening and closing lthe valve as the hand .lever is .moved axially in reverse directions. K

9. In a fire extinguisher oi' the` character described, the combination vof a .container having an outlet, a piston movable therein, a screw for operating the piston, a rotary shaft, means for ,transmitting motion from the shaft to the screw, a `threaded collar on the shaft, a handoperated rotary member having screw engagement with-the threaded collar for moving the rotary vmember axially as it is rotated, stops for limiting the .axial movement ot the rotary member and looking it to the collar to rotate the shaft, a valve tor the outlet, and connections between the valve and -rotary member for opening said valve as theA rotarv member is moved axially.

l0. In a ire extinguisher of the character described, the combination ,oit a container having an outlet, a valve for the outlet, a piston movable in the container, a screw for operating the piston, means for operating the screw, including a rotary hand-operated member having a Alimited rotary movement independently of the screw, connections between said member and valve for .opening the latter during such independent movement, and means for preventing the operation of the rotary member .in one direction when Athe valve is closed.

1l. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a container having an rotary hand member for operating the screw,

a valve movable independently `ot ,the screw for controlling fthel outlet and ,means for transmitting motion from said 'member .to

the valve independently ofthe movement ot ithe screw.

13. In a device of the character described,

lthe combination of a container having an outlet in one end and a vent in yits ,opposite end, awalve tor the outlet, av `piston movable in said container, a screw for operating .the piston, means includingy a rotary hand menibei'r .for lrotating the screw, means actuated by .said ,member `for operating'tlie valve independently,of the screw, 4and a self-closing valve fortlie vent adaptedto be engaged and closedV by the piston when :the latter .is moved to its position farthest .away from the outlet.

In witness lwhereof lI .have hereunto set my hand this 16th d ayy of November, 1915.

` WALTER H. TiBBALs. lVitnesses:

H. E. CHASE, Arion M. CANNON.

Cepes of this patent-may be obtainedfor five cents eaqh, by addressing the#Commissionerlofatents. Washington, D. C. 

